Shock absorbing shoe heel



Feb. 16, 1954 R DE WERTH SHOCK ABsoRBING 'SHOE HEEL 2 Sheets-Sheet lFiled Nov. 19, 1951 n ES JNVENToR. I ROBERT DE Wma :ANW/7W Feb. 16, 1954R DE WERTH SHOCK ABSORBING SHOE HEEL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 19,1951 INVENTOR ROBERT DE WERTH BY WWE/VEZ Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE SHOCK ABSORBIN G SHOE HEEL Robert De Werth, NewYork, N. Y.

Application November 19, 1951, Serial No. 257,064

5 Claims.

, 1 The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in ashock absorbing shoe heel.

More particularly, the present invention proposes the construction of ashock absorbing shoe heel which is resilient in construction so as torelieve shock and jolting encountered with each step taken during normalwalking. It has been determined that many of the annoyances connectedwith sore and aching feet and legs and back trouble are caused by theshock which the body absorbs with each step taken with shoes equippedwith the conventional rubber, leather or the like heels. The principalobject of the present invention is the construction of a resilient heelhaving wear heels attached thereto which will absorb all of the shockand jolt of the heaviest step regardless of whether the wear heels arelconstructed of rubber or leather relieving the body of absorbing suchshocks and jolts andvsodoing away with the agonies and discomf fort ofaching feet and legs and back trouble.

Another object of the present invention proposes constructing the shockabsorbing heel to include an outer member for attachment to the shoe andwhich has an open bottom into which an inner member, mounting ythe wearheel, is slidably mounted in a manner so that the inner member and itsattached wear heel may have freedom of movement relative to the outermember.

Still further, the present invention proposes the provision of aplurality of spring connectors interposed between the outer and innermembers and have connection with each in a manner to constitute theinner member and integral part of the outer member while at the sametime leaving the inner member free for sliding movements relative to theouter member. 1

' The present invention further proposes constructing the spring`connectors to include coil springs which are under normal unbiasedextension in a manner to hold the inner member in a normal extendedposition relative to the outer member when there is no pressure on theheel.

vA further object of the present invention proposes constructing theinner member with a re-l cess in its bottom face within which the wearheel is removably mounted in a manner so that the `wear heels can bequickly and easily replaced when wornout without requiring replacementof the complete heel and without having to take the-shoes to a shoerepair man eliminating the usual delays encountered when heels have tobe replaced. t I

Still another object of the present invention proposes constructing theinner member of separate sections arranged one behind the other with therearmost section having its spring connectors arranged at a downward andrearward inclination in a manner to be substantially at right angles tothe floor surface as the back of the heel first strikes the surfaceduring a normal walking step.

Still further, the present invention proposes mounting the wear heel ofthat rearmost section of the inner member so that its bottom face willbe inclined upward and rearward in a manner to be parallel to and strikethe iioor surface with the flat of its bottom face as the back of theheel rst strikes the surface during a normalwalking step and therebyeliminate much of the wear and tear on the rearmost section of the heel.

Another object of the present invention proposes constructing the innermember of a plurality of separate laterally extended portions, each ofwhich mounts a separate wear heel portion in a manner so that individualportions of the wear heel which receive the most wear and tear can beremoved and replaced Without requiring replacement of the entire wearheel.

Another important feature of those heels of the present construction inwhich the wear heel is divided into two or more transversely extendedsections is that the sections are free so that their respective springswill be compressed progressively less from the rear to the front of theheel as the rear `of the heel rst strikes the ground and the heel isrocked forward as the step is being completed. Still further, thepresent invention proposes the construction of a shock absorbing heelwhich is neat in appearance and in which all of the spring connectorsare completely enclosed between the outer and inner members eliminatingthe possibility of dirt and grime collecting on those spring connectorswhile at the same time protecting the springy connectors against theravages of mud, rain, snow, ice and the like; particularly, when shoesequipped with the shock absorbing heels of the present invention areworn during inclement weather.

It is a further object of the present invention to construct a shockabsorbing heel which is simple and durable, which is completelyeffective for its intended purposes and which can be manufactured andsold at a reasonable price for use cn new shoes or for attachment to oldshoes as a part of the resoling and rebuilding thereof.

" For further comprehension of the invention,

il and or the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had tothe following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appendedclaims in which the various novel features of the invention are moreparticularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is an elevational View of the rear portion of a mans shoeequipped with a shock absorbing heel constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a bottom elevational view of the heel, per se, shown in Fig.l.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional` View talnenY substantially on theline 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view. taken sub-` stantially on theline :1 -fi of Fig.v 3.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a portion'of` Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the spring, per se, of one of thespring connectors.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of Fig. 6.

Fig., 8 is a perspective View of the spring retainer, per se, of one ofthe spring connectors.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 3,but illustrating the shook absorbingheel constructed in accordance with a modication of the present in`Vention.

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detailed View. of the rear portion of Fig. 9..

Fig. 12 is a partial transverse vertical sectional view taken on theline l2-i7i of 1l with thebottom portion thereof broken away to revealdetails of the means for mounting the bottom wedge. member in position.

Fig.. 13 is a plan view oi the top wedge mein ber used in the form ofthe invention shown in Figs. 9 to 12.

Fie. 14 is a plan view of the bottom wedge member used in the form ofthe invention shown in Figs. 9 to. 12.

Fig'. l5 is another view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the shockabsorbing heel constructed in accordance with a further modification ofthe present invention.

Fig. l5 is a bottom plan view ofv Fig.; 15.

Fig. 17 is an enlarged detailed viewof: a p0rtion of Fig. l5. f

Fig. 18 is a partial. transverse verticalsectional iew taken` on theline Iil-lti of Fig. l?.

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the wedge member used in the form of theinvention shown in liigs.` to l.

The shock absorbing heel, according to the rst form of the presentinvention shown in Figs. 1 to 8, wherein the heel is shown attached tothe bach of a mans shoe el? andv as including a top or outerinember Si.The outer member 3| is fashioned of a noncorroding metal such asstainless steel and has aV top wall t2 and a depending slfiirt wall allabout the top wall v32; Thus, the outer member 3i is completely open atitsI bottom. The top wall 32. is provided with a plurality or spacedthreaded holes 3, one of which is shown in Fig.. 3 by which the outermem bei: 3i can. be attached to the outer sole of the shoe 3i?. Theattachment is accomplished by screws, not shown, which are passedthrough the outer sole and threadedinto the, holes .til with the headsof the screws located beneath the inner sole of the. shoe. However, themanner of at,- taching the outer member 3i to the shoe` is not anessential feature of the present invention and any other feasible methodcan be. substituted for the. screws and complementary holesd Withdit'IES

4 out departing from the scope and intent of the present invention.

Extended completely about the outer face of the skirt wall 33 of theouter member 3l, there is a strip of leather 35 which matches in colorand texture the leather of the shoe 3G. The strip of leather 35 issecured in position by a thin layer of mucilage 36 interposed betweenthe skirt wall 33 and the strip oi' leather 35. So that the mucilage 3Gwillhave greater affinity for the surface of the skirt wall 33 the samecan be suitably roughened, if desired. While a strip of leather ispreferably used for covering the outer faceofthe skirt wall 33, it isappreciated that other materials can be used for that purpose.

Fitted into the open bottom of the outer inember 3l, thereis alower orinner member 3l fashioned of the same material used for making the outermember. The inner member 3l has a bottom wall 38 and an opstanding skirtwall 39. The skirt wall 39 of the inner member 3'! has an outercircumference to be snugly ntted with freedom oi. sliding movement intothe skirt wall 33 of the outer member 3l.

The bottom wall 3B of the inner member 31 has arecess Iii! extended infrom its bottom face and into which a wear heel di is fitted. The. wearheel 4l has its bottom face extended below the bottom face of thebottom. Wall 33 of they inner member 3l. The wear heel 4l is releasablyren tained in position by several screws 112 passed throughcomplementary holes 43 in the wear heel di and threaded intocomplementary threaded holes dfi formed in the bottom wall 36 or theinner member 3l.

Welded tothe inner face of the bottom wall 1580i the inner member3.7.,concentric with each of the threaded holesli, there` are smallinternally threaded collars` 42W. The innerA ends ci", the screws. d2.after passing, through the holes 4G arethreaded into the collars 152e.Thus, the collars i2a function as nutsy in the assembled heelv tosecurely anchor the screws Q2` in position. Thev use o the collars @2.ais particularly importa-nt in cases where the bottom wall 33 isparticularly thin` providing very little anchorage for the inner ends ofthe screws.

By removing. the screws t2, the wear heel 4l can be-lifted ont andreplaced by a new one with out requiring replacement of the completeheel or engaging the services of a professional shoe repair man.` OntheYdrawings, the wear heel illustrated` as being formedof rubber; however,that is yby way of illustration only asthe wear heel can be made ofleather or one of the synthetic resinous materials, ii desired.

Spring connectors d5 are provided forr connecty ing together the outermember di and the inner memberil to malte an integral. assembly of theheel parts. Each ei the spring connectors #35 is comprised or a coilspring".itI and spring retainers- 4'11 atv the ends thereof. The coilsprings dir are shaped from a piece of relatively stii wire biased tomaximum. exten-sion, as shown in Fig. At their ends, the coil springs ithave enlarged endmost convolutieais.y t8 a purpose which will becomeclear as this specincation proceeds and smaller intermediateconvolutions im between the enlarged endmost convolutions 48.'

The spring retainers All are shaped of a noncorrosive metalr and aresubstantially eupshaped in formation with open sides directed away fromeach other and with inwardly directed ilanges 59 opposite their opensides.. Internally, the spring retainers 4l are of a diameter justslightlysmaller 'than the external diameter of the enlarged end- .mostconvolutions 48 of the coil springs 46. Those lendmost convolutions 48of the springs 46 are fitted into the spring retainers 41 with slightcompression so as to frictionally grip and maintain vthe springretainers 41 in a xed position with relation to the coil springs 46. Asshown in Figs. 4 and 8, the flanges 50 of the spring retainers 41 areformed with cutouts 5| in one side thereof through which the springs 46extend to the exterior of the` spring retainers 41.

Extending from the outwardly facing open sides of the spring retainers41, there are spaced lugs 52 which are projected through complementaryholes 53 formed in the top wall 32 of the outer member 3| and in thebottom wall 38 of the inner member 31. are bent over against the outerfaces of the walls 32 and 38 securing the spring retainers 41 xedly inposition. -To assemble the inner and outer members by means of thespring retainers 41, the

retainers at one end of each of the spring connec-V tors 45 are firstconnected with one of the walls 32 or 38. The retainers 41 at the otherends of the spring connectors 45 are then all rotated to the desiredposition in which the lugs 52 will be in proper alignment with the holes53 of the other vplate 32 or 38. The other plate is then slipped thatthey will be compressed to approximately` one-half their maximumextension under the force exerted during a normal walking step by theperson wearing the shoes equipped with the shock absorbing heels. Thattension will, of course, vary in accordance with the weight of differentpersons. It is known that people of certain heights have weights fallingWithin certain extremes and wear shoes of a certain size. Shoes ofdiilerent sizes are equipped with heels of different sizes, so that inmanufacturing the heels they will be equipped with coil springs 46possessing a tension in accordance with the size of the heel into whichthey are fitted resulting in springs of the proper tension beingattached to proper shoes in accordance with the weight of the person whowill eventually wear the shoes.

In the modication of the invention shown in Figs. 9 to 14, the innermember 31 is divided into a front portion 31a and a rear portion31b'each of` which is pr-ovided with a separate wear heel por-'- tion 4Iand 4| b respectively. The wear heel portion 4|b of the rearmost portion31b of the inner member 31 has a ilat bottom face extended parallelto'the flat bottom face'of the wear heel portion 4|. However, the springconnectors 45 of the rearmost portion 31b are positioned at a down-iWardly and rearwardly inclined angle, as shown in Fig. 9. AThose springconnectors 45a are mounted between wedge members 55 and 56 havingparallel downwardly and forwardly inclined faces engaged by the springretainers 41 of the spring connectors 45a.

The topmost Wedge member 55 is secured in.r

position betweenl the sides of the skirt wall 330i* the outer member andagainst the inner face of: its top Wall-32 by screws 51 passed throughholes formed in the skirt Wall 33 andthe top wall 32 i and threaded'into complementaryA threaded re'- The free ends of the lugs 52-` cesses58 formed in the wedge member 55. In this form of the invention it isthe Wedge member 55 and 56 which are formed with the holes 53E, seeFigs. 11, 13 and 14, which are engaged by the lugs 52 of the springconnectors 45a of the rear portion 31b of the inner member 31.

The bottommost wedge member 56 is secured to the bottom Wall 38 of therear portion 31b of the inner'member 31 by several screws 59, one ofwhich is shown in Fig. 12, which are passed through holes 60, see Fig.14, in the ends of the wedge member 56 and threaded into complementarythreaded recesses 6| formed in the bottom wall 38.

Regarding the screws 51 and 59, in certain instances it may be desirableto eliminate the use of those screws and secure the wedge members 55 and56 in position by Welding or similar means. The use of welding isparticularly desirable in those instances where the material of theinner member 31 and the outer member 3| is s'o thin as to provide a veryinsecure anchorage for the head ends of the screws.

Along its front edge, the topmost wedge member 55 is formed with adepending transversely extending wall 62 which is disposed between theportions 31a and 31h of the inner member 31 and which holds thoseportions separated for individual sliding movement relative to the outermember 3| and to each other. The spring connectors 45a are arranged at.a downward and rearward extended angle to be substantially at rightangles to the iioor surface when the rear end of the heel first strikesthe iioor surface during a normal walking step. That arrangement leavesthe spring connectors 45EL freev so that their springs 46 will becompressed only in a direction parallel to their axis when Vthe heel rststrikes the floor surface so that all of the force will be exerted tocompress the spring in a direction parallel to its axis without beingabsorbed by the heel portions in some direction other than the directionof compression and to be eventually absorbed by the Wearers foot.

In all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 to 14is similar to that described and illustrated in connection Iwith Figs. 1to 8 and like reference numerals are used to identify like partsthroughout.

The modication of the invention shown in Figs. 15 to 19 is similar tothat described in connection with Figs. 9 to 14 distinguishing only inthe arrangement and sliding positioning of the rear portion 31b of theinner member 31. In this form of the invention, a block 65 is fittedinto the rear of the outer member 3| behind the front portion 31a oftheinner member 31. Thev block 65 is secured in position byA several screws66 which are passed through complementary holes formed in the skirt wall33 of the outer member 3| and threaded into complementary threadedrecesses 61 formed about the outer periphery of the block 65. The bottomface of the block 65 is hollowed out to slidably receive the rearportion 31o for sliding movements extended parallel to the downward andrearward inclination of the spring connectors 45h of that rear portion31h. The rear portion 31h is shaped to have its bottom wall 38 extenddownward and forward at right angles to the axis of sliding of the rearportion andso as to mount the respective rear portion 4151 of the wearheel 4| sc that its bottom face will be extended downward and forward atan inclination. Thus, the bottom face of the rear portion I 'lthi'of thewearhee'l' 41| willl be in: ay position' to strike the floor surfacesubstantially fiat' as the rearY of the heel is brought down on` theFloor 'surfacel during a norma-1' Walking step.

is in the case of the wedgemembers and of the form oi the inventionillustratedin; Figs. 9ft'o. 14, it may be desirable to weld the block t5imposition within the rear of the outer member 3l rather than to secure.it in position using' the screws 65; can be" substituted for the screws.t6 Without depai-'tii-rg.l fromv the scope and intent of the presentinvention.

The top wall of the block 55 is shaped to' provide:y an internal' wedgememberl 55e having the holes 53e engaged by the lugs 52 ci the topmostspring retainer The bottom wall. 33 of the rear portion t'e'b or theinner' member 3T being inclined, as shown in Figs. l5l and i7, there isno need for abottom wed-ge member the previous form of thev invention.rihereiore, the bottom spring retainer el' oi thel springcon,n nector1511 is secured directly to Athatbottorn wa'lfl-` byhaving its lugs 52'passed. through the holes 5-3, as shown in Fig. 17.

im all other respects, the form of the invention shown in Figs. i5 tovi9` is similar to that describedin connection withv Figs. 9 to 1.4 andlike reference numerals identify like parts throughout the severalviews.

Each oi; the modiiications of the invention has: been characterizedbythe use of eleven spring connectors and while that is the preferredarrangement, the sameV is by of illustration only as the number ofspring connectors can be increased or decreased asrdesired withoutdeparting from the scope and. intent' of the pres ent invention. Theeleven spring. connectors are shown arranged in. three transverselyextending row-s1 of three eachi and one row at the rear. of the: heelwhich has only two spring con,- nectors. That, too, is by way ofillustration only, particularly as regards the rear row of springconnectors Wherev more than two con nectors can be used if desired.However, best results-'are obtained: if not less than two connectors areused in that rear row.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of myinvention, it is to be understoodv that I do not limity myself totheprecise constructions herein disclosedand right reserved te aliY changesand modiiications com-ing within the scope of the invention as dened inthe appendedclaims.

Having thusV described my'invention, what I claim as new, and desiretoVv secure by United States. Letters Patent`- is:

l. A shock absorbing shoe heel, comprising an outer member forattachment to a shoe and having an open bottom, an inner member havingan open top slide-bly fitted into said outei` member, spring connectorsbetween. said mem.- bers. joining them together so that said innermember can move relative to said` outer member, said. inner. memberhaving a recess in its bottom face, and a wear heelmounted in saidrecess and depended from the bottom face of said inner member, saidinner member being divided into a iront portion and a rear portion, saidwear heel being divided into separate portions one for each of saidportions of said inner member.

2. A Shock absorbing shoe heel, comprising an outer member forattachment to a shoe and havingan open bottom, an inner.l member havingan open top slida'blv fitted into said outermember',

It being appreciated that welding spring `connestors between; saidmembers joining them together' so that said inner member.A can moverelative to said outer menfiber"y said inner member-having a recessv inits bottom face, and a wear heel mounted. in said. recessv and dependedfrom. the bottom face of said inner member, said innerv member beingdivided into a iront portion anda rear portion, said' wear heel beingdivided into separate portions one for each ofsad portions cf said innermember, said rear. portion of said inner member having its springconnectors arranged at a downwardand; rearward inclination with thebottom face of the rear portion of saidl wear heel arranged on: the sameplane with the bottom face of the front portion: of said wear wheel.

3'. A shock absorbingv shoe heel, comprising an cuter member forattachment. to a shoe and hav'- ing an open bottom, an inner memberhaving an open: tcp slidabl'y -tted into said outer member, springconnectors between saidv members joining them together so that-saidinner. member can mover relative to said outer member, said innermemberhaving a recess in its bottom: face, and a wear heel mountedinsaid recess and depended irom the bottom face of said inner member, saidinner member being divided into a iront` portion and a rear portion,said wearv heel' being divided into separate portions one for each of,`Said portions of said inner member, said rear portion oi said innermember having, its spring connectors arranged at a downward and rearwardinclination with. the bottom face of the rear portion of saidwear heelarranged at. adownward and forward inclination.

e. A shock absorbing shoe heel, comprising. an outer member forattachment to a shoe. have ing an open. bottom, an inner member havingan open top slidably fitted into said outer. member, spring connectors`between said members joining them. together so that saidv inner membercan move relative to said outer member, said inner member having arecess in its bottom face, and a wear heel mounted in said recess anddepended from the bottom face of. said inner mem.- ber', saidinnermember being divided into ay front portion and a rear portion, said wearheelbeing divided into separate portions one for each@ of said portionsof said. inner member, said rear portion of saidinner member having itsspring connectorsarranged at a downward and. rearward` inclination withtheV bottom face. of. the rear portion of saidv wear heel arranged onthe same. plane-with the bottom face of the iront portion ofl said wear`heel said springy connectors being supported at the downward andrearward inclination by being mounted lbetween. wedge members fixedlymounted within said outer member and the" rear portion of said innermember.

5. A shock absorbing shoe heel', con'iprising an outer member forattachment to a shoe and. having an openv bottom',` an inner memberhaving an open top slidably fitted into said outer" meinber, springconnectors between said members joining them together so that said innermember can move relative to said outer member, said inner member havinga recess in its bottom face, and a wear heel mounted in said recess anddepended from the bottom face of said inner member, said inner memberbeing divided into a iront portion and a rear portion, said wear heelbeing divided into separate portions' one for eachl of said portions of.said inner member, said rearportionof said inner member having/itsspring connectors arranged at a. downward and rearward inclination withthe bottom face of the rear portion of said wear heel arranged at adownward and forward inclination, said rear portion being mounted forsliding movements 5 parallel to the inclination of said springconnectors within a hollowed block member xedly mounted within saidouter member behind the front portion of said inner member.

ROBERT DE WERTH.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date Scruggs May 23, 1911 Jenoi & Kruchio Apr. 21, 1914 KaracsonyiJune 9, 1914 Dutchak Oct. 9, 1923

